Leafs rally past Rebels to even Murdoch Division series
By The Nelson Daily Sports
It’s never easy come playoff time for a top seed to kick a lower-placed club to the curb.
Facing a 1-0 series deficit and trailing 2-0 midway through Game two, the Nelson Leafs rallied for three straight goals to edge Castlegar Rebels 3-2 Murdoch Division victory in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League playoff action Wednesday night at the NDCC Arena.
The win, following Castlegar’s 2-1 victory in the opener Tuesday in Nelson, evens the best-of-seven Murdoch Division series at 1-1.
Games three and four go Friday and Saturday in Castlegar with Game five Monday back in Nelson.
Game time is 7 p.m.
Simon Nemethy scored the winner for the Leafs 99 seconds in the third period after teammate Lane Goodwin tied the game earlier in the frame.
Nathan Dann scored twice to give the visitors the 2-0 advantage before Tyler Pisiak scored for Nelson to cut the lead in half.
Bryce Sookro had two assists for Nelson, which finished 29 points ahead of Castlegar in Murdoch Division standings.
Nelson outshot the Rebels 25-11 in the game, including an 11-4 advantage in the third period.
Hawks square series against Thunder Cats
Beaver Valley Nitehawks thumped Creston Valley Thunder Cats 7-1 to even the best-of-seven Murdoch series Wednesday at the Fruitvale Arena.
Ethan Smyth scored twice and Brennan Wilson added a pair of assists to lead the Nitehawks.
Creston opened the series Tuesday with a 5-4 win.
Eddie Mountain Action
Kimberley Dynamiters own a 2-0 series advantage over Golden Rockets after two home wins — 3-2 and 9-2 in Eddie Mountain Divisional Semi Final action.
In the other series, Columbia Valley and Fernie are tied 1-1 after the Ghostriders won 5-2 Wednesday in Invermere.
